Máirín Quill
Ceist:10 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to undertake an appraisal of road safety promotion in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18603/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Safety.
I have already indicated publicly that it is my intention to have a full assessment of road safety promotion carried out as soon as possible. The assessment will relate also to wider aspects of policy which affect safety on our roads. In addition, it will examine the roles of the organisations involved, and the possibility of involving new bodies both at the national and local levels, with a view to ensuring that the best possible results are achieved.
Does the Minister accept that he no longer can afford to be complacent about this issue because in the first nine months of this year 315 people were killed on our roads, the majority of whom were young people? Is he satisfied that the national roads safety campaign, which is costing the taxpayer £1 million per year, is achieving its aims and effecting significant road accident reductions? If not, what changes does he propose the body ought to make in its future campaigns?
I reject entirely the notion that I am complacent about the disturbing road accident figures. In the first six months of this year, road deaths were down 16 per cent on the corresponding figure of last year. That has been the trend in the past number of years. We had three very bad months during the summer and I drew immediate public attention to it. I instructed the safety authorities, the Garda Síochána and my own Department to analyse these figures and to come up with the reasons the summer months were so bad. Based on that we will broaden the analysis to see what other action can be taken. I have indicated already publicly that I plan a number of initiatives. I have already announced the development of a voluntary register of trained driving instructors so that we can improve both the quality of the instructor and the quality of the trained driver. I have announced a review of the driving test which will be implemented next year and will increase the level of knowledge of theory required to pass the driving test. I have announced also that the NRA will be carrying out a comprehensive speed survey on the national route network. I have announced a new comprehensive traffic signs manual to be launched for the guidance of local authorities so that we can have clarity in relation to road signs. I have announced the launch of a manual relating to low cost remedial measures for accident black spots so that we can target resources at areas that are a cause of concern. Finally I have announced the introduction of comprehensive traffic management regulations which will come into force. It is the most significant initiative on road traffic for some time. I reject the assertion of complacency. A death on the road is a death too many.
Within the past ten days I launched the Christmas road safety campaign. I have already contacted the Minister for Justice to ensure that enforcement of the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts is a matter not only for implementation during the Christmas period but for all year round, thus demonstrating our desire that we work constantly to reduce the number of accidents, fatalities and injuries on our roads.
While accepting that the Minister has put a package of measures in place I question how soon its implementation will begin to show results. Apart from the deep human tragedy involved in road traffic accidents, will he accept that such accidents now cost this country annually approximately £800 million, about half the annual health budget we vote in this House? Is the Minister making additional funds available to local authorities to enable them improve their road signage programme since it has been demonstrated in the United Kingdom that a significant reduction in the number of road accidents there resulted from better, more modern and up-to-date road signage and markings? Is the Minister making such resources available here because, if not. I predict there will not be an improvement on that aspect of his programme?
I look forward to the Deputy's support of the Estimates to increase the amount of money available to local authorities to enable them cope with their road improvement programmes. Last year I published subventions for the non-county roads system which were the highest on record. I know a good deal of remedial action was taken by local authorities on the non-national roads system to improve road safety. Signage is a matter of concern to me, which is why I have issued instructions that a new comprehensive traffic signs manual be issued to ensure uniformity of traffic signage next year. The National Roads Authority, this year, also commenced upgrading traffic signage on all major routes, beginning with the N1 and N2, which will constitute a rolling programme of allocating significant resources to improving signage. I accept the importance and value of road markings and signage. Specific allocations of resources have been made available at national and local levels to achieve improvements.
When the Minister has to hand an analysis of the main factors that led to the most recent increase in road accidents, will he bring it before this House so that we can ensure that his remedial package is targeted specifically at drivers most at risk?
The analysis I have already received, although limited in scope because I wanted it very quickly, shows that the most consistent factor in road accidents is excessive speed, that pedestrians and motor cyclists accounted for a disproportionately high number of fatalities and that a significant number of young road users were also killed. We are looking at those facts to ascertain how we can target our programme effectively to improve on statistics. One obvious objective will be the campaign to make pedestrians and motor cyclists more visible. Signage and road markings will be part of that programme.
Finally, improvement of the driving skills of the younger driver — which unfortunately is disproportionately represented in the accident statistics — will be achieved through an improvement in driver testing skills in co-operation with the Insurance Federation. A credit of some description is being negotiated for young drivers, or indeed older ones, who for the first time undertake a prescribed number of validated instruction courses. All of this will be a comprehensive package on which I shall keep the House fully informed.